BC-AP Sports Digest

The supervisor is Ira Podell until 8 a.m. The day supervisor will be Fred Lief. The supervisor can be reached at 800 845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports Photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636; agate, ext. 1635. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, also can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns are available from the Service Desk (800 838-4616) or your local AP bureau. All times EDT.

TOP STORY:

US--PENN STATE-ABUSE

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A blistering report that claims Joe Paterno and other top Penn State officials concealed what they knew about Jerry Sandusky's sexual abuse of children may prove to be an indelible stain on the beloved coach's 61-year tenure at the school where he preached "success with honor. But some insist the late coach got a raw deal from former FBI Director Louis Freeh. By Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam.

AP Photos.

FBC-PENN STATE-PATERNO'S LEGACY

For those who had no interest in football or were already skeptical of Joe Paterno's "success with honor" philosophy, the damning Freeh Report destroys whatever is left of his once-proud legacy. For those close to Penn State, it's only making them dig in more. By National Writer Nancy Armour. Sent.

AP Photos.

FBC--JIM LITKE-071212

Joe Paterno called it one of the "great sorrows" of his life that he didn't do more to stop Jerry Sandusky. But Paterno's real sin turned out to be even worse. By Sports Columnist Jim Litke. Sent.

— Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno and other senior Penn State officials "concealed critical facts" about Jerry Sandusky's child abuse because they were worried about bad publicity, according to an internal investigation into the scandal.

— The chairwoman of Penn State's board of trustees says the panel "accepts full responsibility for the failures that occurred" in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.

— Some Penn State students and alumni say the independent report on the school's handling of the Jerry Sandusky scandal unfairly targeted former football coach Joe Paterno.

— One of the world's greatest ever sprinters carried the Olympic torch on Thursday morning around Stonehenge, one of the Britain's most famous sites.

NEW/DEVELOPING:

GLF--US-SENIOR OPEN

LAKE ORION, Mich. — Tom Kite was atop the U.S. Senior Open leaderboard that was filled with names after the first round even casual fans know. Bernhard Langer, who was a shot back, expected the stars to keep shining at the Champions Tour's fourth of five majors this year at Indianwood. By Larry Lage.

AP Photos

OLYMPICS:

OLY--BKO-GRIFFIN-DAVIS

LAS VEGAS — Anthony Davis was seated on the court, the best players in the world towering above him. The NBA rookie had just been fouled while making a 3-pointer, falling backward toward the U.S. bench, looking up to see the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant dancing in celebration.

The Americans weren't just giddy over the basket. Their joy was in knowing they can count on the kid in the Olympics. With Blake Griffin heading for left knee surgery that will keep him from London, Davis is expected to join the Americans as they chase another gold medal. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney.

AP Photos

BKL--OLYMPIC DREAM

ATLANTA — Angel McCoughtry and Marynell Meadors of the Atlanta Dream will share a unique bond during the London Games: They are the only WNBA player-coach tandem on a U.S. squad shooting for a fifth consecutive gold medal. McCoughtry, the WNBA's leading scorer, will be making her Olympic debut along with three other newcomers. By Ashley Hopkinson.

— LONDON — OLY--London 2012-Thames Highway. For London's elite, the River Thames will be an uncluttered highway to zip from party to party. By Danica Kirka. Sent.

BASEBALL:

BBN--CARDINALS BREAK

ST. LOUIS — Tony La Russa sees plenty of parallels between the 2012 St. Louis Cardinals and last year's crazy comeback World Series champions. With a twinkle in his eye, La Russa notes both teams were six games above .500 heading into the second half of the season. The old skipper has seen his share of games, and agrees with his rookie successor, Mike Matheny, that there's plenty of untapped potential. By R.B. Fallstrom.

AP Photos

CYCLING:

CYC--TOUR DE FRANCE

LA TOUSSUIRE, FRANCE — A sign of how far out of contention Cadel Evans has fallen in this year's Tour de France is that a Twitter spat between two rival riders' companions overshadowed him in post-race commentary. The Australian's bid to repeat as yellow jersey in Paris is now being all but written off, after 11 stages of racing answered several pre-race questions about him. By Greg Keller.